The king ran the government, formulating policy, which his ministers and other governmental officials executed.

The Feudal System

The king owned all of the land but granted land to noblemen, who, in turn, rewarded knights with land. The king's power over his subjects was such that ordinary folks would write petitions to their kings, known as "grants of grace," with requests ranging from a pardon for a crime to a promotion in the church hierarchy.

The Warrior-King

Up until the 14th century, most kings were warriors who led their armies in battle, e.g., Henry V of England. After the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), however, most kings delegated military leadership to noblemen as it became difficult to be present on the battlefield during a prolonged war.

Centralization

Medieval kings centralized their power over time. For instance, they built their own military forces (instead of relying on noblemen to supply soldiers) and constructed bureaucracies that were answerable only to them.

Checks on Power

The Church acted as a check on a king's power throughout most of the Middle Ages because he was accountable to the pope. In England, an alliance of lords, clergymen and townspeople forced King John to sign the Magna Carta, limiting his power, in 1215.